Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive April 2012 - Page 29


Page 29 of 29

New boost for pancreatic cancer therapy

Scientists at Fox Chase Cancer Center have discovered compounds that enhance the effects of gemcitabine, improving its ability to kill pancreatic cancer cells. This breakthrough could lead to a lower dose of chemotherapy with fewer side effects, potentially increasing survival rates for patients.

SourceFox Chase Cancer Center·DateApr 2, 2012

Stimulating the brain to improve speech, memory, numerical abilities

Research using tDCS shows promise in speeding up word finding in stroke patients and enhancing memory in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease patients. Numerical skills can also be improved using tDCS applied to the posterior parietal cortex, with observed improvements lasting up to 6 months.

SourceCognitive Neuroscience Society·DateApr 2, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Seeing double: 1 in 30 babies born in US is a twin

The incidence of twin births in the US has increased significantly over the past three decades, with one in every 30 babies born being a twin in 2009. Fertility treatments are a key factor in this increase, accounting for two-thirds of the rise.

SourceMichigan State University·DateApr 2, 2012

Fewer deaths, complications with robotic bladder cancer surgery, but cost is higher

A new study found that robotic-assisted surgery for bladder cancer results in fewer deaths, in-patient complications, and reduced need for intravenous nutrition compared to traditional open surgeries. However, the procedure is more costly due to longer operation times and greater use of disposable instruments.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalEuropean Urology·DateApr 2, 2012
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Researchers find little secondary cancer risk from multi-detector CT scans in Medicare population

A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology found that multi-detector CT scans pose a lower risk of developing secondary cancers among older adults. The researchers analyzed data from Medicare claims spanning eight years and estimated that only 0.03-0.04 percent of the population would develop radiation...

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Radiology·DateApr 2, 2012

Scientists study the catalytic reactions used by plants to split oxygen from water

Researchers at Georgia Tech discovered the importance of a hydrogen bonding water network in photosystem II, a critical step in photosynthesis. The study suggests that mimicking this process could provide new supplies of oxygen and hydrogen as a by-product of electricity production.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 2, 2012

Patients want immediate access to radiology test results

A study at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found that patients prefer immediate access to radiology test results, even for complex diagnoses. The study showed that about half of participants preferred instant access, while a third preferred access within three days.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalJournal of the American College of Radiology·DateApr 2, 2012

Molecular imaging links systemic inflammation with depression

Research reveals that systemic inflammation causes an increase in depressive symptoms and metabolic changes in the brain's mood-regulating regions. This finding opens doors for testing potential treatments for depression in patients experiencing inflammatory-related symptoms.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateApr 2, 2012

Graduated drivers' licenses for seniors

A proactive solution could help prevent injuries by restricting driving privileges under favourable conditions. Exemptions would be granted for certified healthy seniors, shifting the onus from others to seek exemptions.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateApr 2, 2012
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

PTSD genes identified by UCLA study

Researchers have found that individuals with specific gene variants are more likely to develop PTSD symptoms after exposure to trauma. The study suggests a genetic link to PTSD, which could lead to new screening methods and targeted treatments.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·DateApr 2, 2012

Scripps Florida scientists shed light on age-related memory loss and possible treatments

Researchers found that stimulating specific neurons can reverse age-related memory defects in fruit flies, which may have implications for human memory disorders. The study used functional cellular imaging to monitor neuron activity and showed that cold-activated ion channels can rescue intermediate-term memory.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 2, 2012

Yale Nobel laureate creates compound that halts growth of malaria parasite

Researchers at Yale University have created a compound that prevents the growth of the malaria parasite within red blood cells. The compound, developed by Sidney Altman and his team, shows promise in combating drug-resistant strains of the disease, which kills over 1 million people annually.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 2, 2012
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Information superhighway 'bypassing adult learners' -- new study

A landmark study by University of Leicester researcher Dr Patrick White found that participation in adult learning neither increased nor widened during the first decade of the 21st Century. Despite easier access to the internet, online technologies failed to break down barriers to learning and expand access to previously excluded groups.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalBritish Educational Research Journal·DateApr 2, 2012

Phase III research represents potential shift in standard of care for bladder cancer

A new phase III study comparing the efficacy of Bacillus Calmette Guérin strains Tice and Connaught for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer treatment found that Connaught significantly reduced cancer recurrence rates, with a five-year recurrence-free survival rate of 75% compared to 46% for Tice. The study has the potential to shift the...

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·DateApr 2, 2012

Teen alcohol and illicit drug use and abuse examined in study

A study published in Archives of General Psychiatry found that most teenagers who use alcohol and drugs start using them during adolescence, with the median age of onset at 14 years old. By late adolescence, nearly three-quarters of teens reported having consumed alcohol, and one-fifth had met criteria for lifetime abuse.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of General Psychiatry·DateApr 2, 2012

Can cold cash, social game relieve rush hour traffic?

The study found that a small amount of money can be an effective motivator, encouraging drivers to arrive earlier or leave later during peak hours. By leveraging social responsibility and game theory, the Capri program aims to reduce rush hour traffic by a few hundred cars.

SourceStanford University·DateApr 2, 2012
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Picky females promote diversity: UBC-IIASA study

A study by UBC and IIASA researchers reveals that picky females can promote diversity in species through selective mating. They must occupy different resource hotspots and pay a cost for their preferences to prevent invasion of undesirable areas.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalNature·DateApr 1, 2012

Death anxiety increases atheists' unconscious belief in God

Research reveals that death anxiety makes atheists more unconsciously receptive to religious beliefs, while religious individuals strengthen their beliefs at both conscious and unconscious levels. This study contributes to understanding why religion endures as a fundamental aspect of human culture.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateApr 1, 2012

DNA sequencing lays foundation for personalized cancer treatment

Scientists at WashU Medicine are using DNA sequencing to map the genetic evolution of disease and monitor response to treatment. By analyzing tumor samples, they can identify 'driver' mutations and determine whether cells carrying those mutations have been eliminated by treatment.

SourceWashU Medicine·DateApr 1, 2012
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Transforming scar tissue into beating hearts: The next instalment

Scientists have made breakthroughs in reprogramming scar tissue from myocardial infarction (MI) into viable heart muscle cells using viral vectors. The new approach has shown promising results in adult mice and offers a potential solution to the major problem of cardiac regeneration after MI.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·DateApr 1, 2012

Accentuating the positive memories for sleep

A new study found that sleep protects positive memories just as it does negative ones, with significant implications for treating post-traumatic stress disorder. Sleep enhances emotionally positive memories while these memories decay over wake, prioritizing them for processing during sleep.

SourceCognitive Neuroscience Society·DateApr 1, 2012

Gene variations linked to intestinal blockage in newborns with cystic fibrosis

Researchers have discovered gene variations that predispose cystic fibrosis patients to develop an intestinal blockage while still in the uterus. These variants involve genes responsible for ion transport in the lower end of the small intestine, increasing the risk of meconium ileus and serious health problems.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNature Genetics·DateApr 1, 2012

South Pole Telescope hones in on dark energy, neutrinos

The South Pole Telescope's data analysis provides strong support for the cosmological constant as the source of dark energy, accelerating the universe's expansion. The results also place tight limits on neutrino masses, shedding light on these mysterious particles' properties.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·DateApr 1, 2012
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Epigenetic changes in twins and babies of dieting mothers increase obesity, diabetes risk

Epigenetic changes in gene structure lead to higher incidents of obesity and diabetes for mothers with poor nutrition at the time of conception. The study found that dieting around the time of conception and early pregnancy can alter genes controlling food intake and glucose levels, increasing the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateApr 1, 2012

Heart failure's effects in cells can be reversed with a rest

Researchers at Imperial College London found that allowing heart muscle cells to rest can reverse structural changes caused by heart failure. This discovery could lead to new treatment strategies without the need for serious procedures like LVAD implants.

SourceImperial College London·JournalEuropean Journal of Heart Failure·DateApr 1, 2012

MDC-researchers elucidate molecular mechanism contributing to cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a deterioration of the heart muscle affecting its pumping ability. MDC-researchers identified RNA binding motif protein 20 (RBM20) as a gene regulating titin splicing, a process connected to the disease. Understanding this mechanism may lead to more efficient molecular diagnosis and therapies for cardiomyopathy.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature Medicine·DateApr 1, 2012

New comparison of ocean temperatures reveals rise over the last century

A new study reveals a global ocean warming trend spanning at least 100 years, with an average increase of .33-degree Celsius in upper ocean temperatures. The research uses historical temperature readings from HMS Challenger's 1872-1876 voyage and modern data from the Argo program.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Climate Change·DateApr 1, 2012
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

The protein survivin could be a useful biomarker for pancreatic cancer

Researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center found that survivin levels were associated with longer disease-free survival and better response to chemotherapy in patients with pancreatic cancer. The study suggests that survivin could be a useful tool for identifying patients who may benefit from specific treatments.

SourceFox Chase Cancer Center·DateApr 1, 2012

Study finds protective gene in fat cells

A new study finds a protective gene in fat cells that helps regulate blood sugar and insulin levels, potentially leading to a new therapeutic strategy for preventing and treating type 2 diabetes. The discovery challenges popular notions of body fat and health.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalNature·DateApr 1, 2012

Rare immune cells could hold key to treating immune disorders

Researchers identified a rare immune cell's role in antibody production and 'memory' of infectious agents, crucial for vaccine development and potential treatment of immune disorders. T follicular helper cells can remember past infections, enabling rapid responses to future attacks.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalNature Immunology·DateApr 1, 2012
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Second mutation in BRAF-mutated melanoma doesn't contribute to resistance

A study by UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that patients with both MEK1 and BRAF mutations respond equally well to BRAF inhibitor drugs, challenging conventional wisdom. The presence of both mutations does not contribute to drug resistance in melanoma patients.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalCancer Discovery·DateApr 1, 2012

Raising the school leaving – while learning from another age

A recent study found that raising the school leaving age was met with significant controversy and sacrifice in the past, highlighting potential difficulties in adapting to future changes. The UK's decision to raise the education participation age to 17 in 2013 and potentially 18 in 2015 may face similar challenges.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateApr 1, 2012

How black holes grow

A University of Utah astrophysicist has proposed that supermassive black holes in galaxy centers grow by consuming single stars from wandering binary pairs. The study found that this process is an efficient way to bring stars close to black holes, outperforming gas clouds as a growth mechanism.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 1, 2012

New discovery may lead to effective prevention and treatment of graft-versus-host dsease

Scientists have discovered that the platelet activating factor receptor plays a crucial role in graft-versus-host disease, which can cause significant tissue damage and mortality. Blocking this receptor may lead to reduced tissue injury and improved survival rates for patients undergoing bone marrow transplants.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalJournal of Leukocyte Biology·DateApr 1, 2012
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

The role of physics in the sinking of the Titanic

The Titanic's sinking was attributed to a combination of structural deficiencies and the Gulf Stream's unusual alignment, weakening the ship's hull. Researchers found that non-uniform rivet composition and insertion contributed to the vessel's vulnerability.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalPhysics World·DateApr 1, 2012

Mechanism found connecting metastatic breast cancer and arthritis

A study by University of North Carolina at Charlotte researchers confirms the connection between metastatic breast cancer and autoimmune arthritis. Mast cells play a critical role in facilitating breast cancer metastasis, with SCF/Kit signaling inducing mast cell differentiation in arthritic conditions. This finding suggests a potentia...

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte·DateApr 1, 2012
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.